HOLODOMOR MEMORIAL UNVEILED IN ROCHDALE - UPDATED TO INCLUDE SPEECHES

Rochdale

21.11.09

A large gathering of dignitaries together with Ukrainian and other community representatives and members assembled at the Memorial Gardens in Rochdale yesterday for the official unveiling of a memorial stone commemorating victims of the 1932-33 Holodomor in Ukraine.

The Mayor of Rochdale and Ukrainian Ambassador, assisted by the AUGB President, formally unveiled the memorial stone and wreaths were laid – one by Holodomor survivor Oksana Paraszczak jointly with Rochdale’s Mayor.

During the commemoration, Irene Duchak recited a poem written by Stefan Pasizcznyk – “Land of Plenty”.

The Rochdale Friends of Lviv Committee chaired by Anna Kecyk were the initiators and organisers of the project which was supported by the Rochdale Branch of the Association of Ukrainians headed by Volodymyr Duchak. Both gave opening addresses.

The memorial stone, erected in such a prestigious location in Rochdale, will serve as a reminder of the horrors inflicted on the Ukrainian nation in 1932-33 when over 7 million people were ruthlessly and systematically annihilated through forced starvation by Stalin’s Soviet regime.

NOTE: This article will be updated to include links to speeches delivered during unveling of the memorial stone. Please revisit.